• Buffett

  • The Making of an American Capitalist
  • By: Roger Lowenstein
  • Narrated by: Graham Winton
  • Length: 18 hrs and 9 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (1,654 ratings)

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Buffett

By: Roger Lowenstein
Narrated by: Graham Winton
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Publisher's summary

Since its hardcover publication in August 1995, Buffett has appeared on the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, San Francisco Chronicle, Los Angeles Times, Seattle Times, Newsday, and Business Week best-seller lists. The incredible landmark portrait of Warren Buffett's uniquely American life is now available in audiobook, revised and updated by the author.

Starting from scratch, simply by picking stocks and companies for investment, Warren Buffett amassed one of the epochal fortunes of the twentieth century - an astounding net worth of $10 billion and counting. His awesome investment record has made him a cult figure popularly known for his seeming contradictions: a billionaire who has a modest lifestyle, a phenomenally successful investor who eschews the revolving-door trading of modern Wall Street, a brilliant dealmaker who cultivates a homespun aura. Journalist Roger Lowenstein draws on three years of unprecedented access to Buffett's family, friends, and colleagues to provide the first definitive inside account of the life and career of this American original.

Buffett explains Buffett's investment strategy - a long-term philosophy grounded in buying stock in companies that are undervalued on the market and hanging on until their worth invariably surfaces - and shows how it is a reflection of his inner self.

©2008 Roger Lowenstein (P)2015 Recorded Books

What listeners say about Buffett

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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Life changer

I didn't realize what I was getting myself into with this book. Just thought it was a long book to read to occupy my time. But after listening to Buffett's story, I am very excited about life and the direction I am heading. To me, Buffett's story is a lesson about finding intrinsic value in every area of my life and developing my own core values and sticking to them. This book was well written and the narrator was fantastic! I was eager to listen to more and more each day! Roger Lowenstein's writing was also very inspiring. He painted Buffett's life and lessons so perfectly, I felt like I have gained so much knowledge in a time I am in desperate need for inner growth and change.

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38 people found this helpful

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Must read for any investor

Wow.

Tremendous amount of backstory on people and companies from the late 50s to the 90s. I learned so much more about corporate history than I could have imagined. Lowenstein's imagery is wonderful and I often found myself smiling at his cleverness. Spoken performance was superb.

It's a long read but so good that my 12 and 14 year old boys asked me to put it on in the car on the way to school. Wide appeal if you want a good story about money, business and finance. The kids and I stopped several times to talk about bonds and LBOs. "You can do that??" They asked in amazement.

Five stars.

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17 people found this helpful

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Buffets Life Story

This book attempted to encapsulate the important ideas that buffet carried with him. There is no singular focus, but instead this book attempts to explain every aspect of buffet's life. Whether it was Buffets Graham style investing or modest lifestyle,

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Buffett behind the scenes

Would you consider the audio edition of Buffett to be better than the print version?

I'm not sure. I haven't read the hard copy version.

What did you like best about this story?

I liked the detailed back story to Buffet's childhood. It was central in forming his life theory about "holding onto things" and stocks or friends. This theme was woven into so many facets of Buffet's life from investing to friendships.

Which character – as performed by Graham Winton – was your favorite?

Buffet is a larger than life character, but I also liked the description of Mrs. B and her furniture store in Omaha, Nebraska. Even at 99, she sounds like a spitfire.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Yes there were two. Hearing about his childhood and the trauma that moving from Omaha caused him and then later how his focus obscured something as important as his sons back injury.

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3 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Understand Warren Buffett Like Never Before

What did you love best about Buffett?

I love that the book intersperses insights about Buffett's youth and family with very specific examples of what shaped his values, intellect and approach to investing as well as giving insight about the times and environment that led to the Buffett we know and love today. It doesn't specific tell you how to invest but gives insight by learning about Buffett's approach to investing.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Warren Buffett!

What about Graham Winton’s performance did you like?

His voice is very pleasant. Great reading dialogue as well as narration.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

The book immediately riveted to me and I couldn't put it down.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Great (Until 1996 When It Ends)

Was expecting it to be a slow fight from start to finish but with the exception of the last two hours on Salomon Brothers, was fast listening.

Unfortunately as it was published in 1996 with only a light afterwards published in 2006 much is missing as how Berkshire Hathaway grew to have a $440,000+ price including how Mr. Buffett performed and commented on the 2008 financial meltdown.

Recommended with the caveat that another biography be found to cover from 1996 to present.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Fawning summary of Buffett's life up to mid-90's

This was a 'feel good' account of Buffett's life up to 1995. While parts of it were tedious, most parts were nearly riveting. It's about how Buffett sees the world, because he's so remarkable and has been proven correct throughout his life.

I wanted such a book, where the theme is that one guy is truly wise and good, just to see if it can ring true. It often rang true but at times was ambiguous. The author clearly demonstrates that Buffett is unusually intelligent. I mean, it's off the charts.

Certain oddities stick in the mind. For example, it seems strange that such a sensible individual would drink so much cherry cola. Lowenstein covers that almost from cover to cover.

I think it's a 5-star book but can think of minor flaws nonetheless. I think far more explanation for Buffett's ability to understand businesses and industries should have been included. There's a limit to how much a reader can tolerate of this type of analysis, but the book could have offered more in my opinion.

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2 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Excellent book

This is by far one of the best books on investing and Warren Buffett that is available.

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2 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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The American Dream

Lowenstein is a great writer, Buffett is an extraordinary person, and Graham Winton provides a quality narration. I have a hard time turning off the audio with this one. A captivating story about the best businessman/investor of the past century. Give it a listen!

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    4 out of 5 stars
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A good portrait of the man

Generally an enjoyable listen, though it did drone at parts when it went to the specifics of financial products.

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